Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Spiritual Warfare & Inner Struggle
The battle against evil forces — whether external demons or internal passions — is a pervasive theme across traditions. Spiritual warfare describes the believer's ongoing struggle to resist temptation and align with the good, armed with prayer, virtue, and divine help.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Prática
- Armor of God; resisting the devil; warfare prayer
- Key Text
- Ephesians 6:10-18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9
Islam
- Prática
- Jihad al-nafs — the greater jihad against the lower self
- Key Text
- Quran 29:6, 22:78
Judaism
- Prática
- Yetzer ha-ra vs yetzer ha-tov — evil and good inclinations
- Key Text
- Genesis 4:7; Berakhot 5a; Kiddushin 30b
Hinduism
- Prática
- Battle between divine and demonic qualities within
- Key Text
- Bhagavad Gita 16:1-6; 3:36-43
Buddhism
- Prática
- Mara — the tempter; overcoming the five hindrances
- Key Text
- SN 4.1 (Tapokamma Sutta); MN 36; Dhammapada 40